Bears Hide From These Tech Stocks: 2 Buy And 3 Sell Ideas

The first two trading weeks 2013 saw short-selling volume decline substantially for a number of big-name technology stocks. The decline could be due to investors winding down their bearish hedge against another bullish position. It could also mean investors expect the share price to increase in the near-term.

Short-selling volumes declined by 14.6% for Microsoft Corporation, ahead of quarterly earnings. When the software giant reported on January 24, Microsoft demonstrated continued revenue strength in most of its divisions. Windows revenue rose 24% (including pre-sales). Its Office division rose 3%, server and tools up 9%, and online services up 11%. The company clearly benefited from ongoing corporate spending, while the PC environment was weak.

Investors should be positive on Microsoft. They are more interested in the potential for Windows Phone 8 and Surface RT/Pro in 2013. The Xbox refresh will also be announced in a few months.

Research In Motion Limited is viewed by many as lacking prospects. Shares were bid up to $18.32 recently, as short-selling volumes declined 1.4% ahead of the run-up. The run-up was a classic rise before the rumor, sell after the news. The Blackberry 10 release on January 30 marked a new paradigm for the company and possibly for the smartphone market.

Investors should be cautious. The company reports on March 24, and the benefits of Blackberry 10 will not be known until the quarter after.

Short-selling declined for Zynga, Inc. by 6.3%. Shares rallied, possibly on optimism that another social network company, Twitter, could be worth $9 billion, according to Blackrock. Investors should avoid Zynga. The company will experience devastating declines from game sales at Facebook. Facebook is releasing “graph search,” which makes games much less visible to users, unless friends happen to be active in games. Investors should be wary of Zynga shares.

CTRP plunged from $24 to around $20 recently, after short-sellers reduced their bearish bet. Investors should be reminded that Ctrip.com is not like Priceline ( PCLN) or Expedia ( EXPE). Shares declined after Oppenheimer said its coupon program will extend to plane tickets. A price war would substantially reduce earnings and threaten the viability of the Chinese online travel firm sector.